Strategic University Partnerships: A Regional Project for Africa
Global Ties Iowa was honored to welcome a delegation from Africa for the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) “Strategic University Partnerships: A Regional Project for Africa" from September 24-29, 2026. The delegation included 13 participants from Botswana, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Madagascar, Morocco, Rwanda, and Uganda who work in an array of educational and leadership professions.
Welcome to Iowa Weekend
The delegation arrived in Iowa City on the morning of September 25 and hit the ground running with their first meeting with Eastern Iowa Airport. The meeting gave the delegation an industry perspective on talent pipeline development and strategies to better align education systems with industry needs to support regional economic priorities. Marty Lenss, the director of the Eastern Iowa Airport, led the meeting and gave the group valuable insights as he also serves on the Large Investor Council for the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, a board member of the Iowa City Area Development Group, and a National Chair of the Air Service committee for the American Association of Airport Executives.
Following this meeting, the group travelled to Wellman, IA for Pizza on the Farm. A family-run business, Pizza on the Farm is where wood-fired pizza, live music, and good company come together in the Iowa countryside. While here, the delegation was able to enjoy the Iowa weather and landscape with the weekly pizza specials, listen to live country music, and enjoy a bonfire and smores––courtesy of the Pizza on the Farm owners.
Saturday, September 26 was the first day of Iowa Table Dinners hosted by Rinsola Olubayo and Ashley and Matt Laux. Rinsola is a 4th-year student from South Africa studying biochemistry, molecular biology, and French at Cornell College, and she hosted five delegates. Ashley and Matt Laux live with their children Althea and Audrey, and Ashley works at the Iowa Initiative for Sustainable Communities at the University of Iowa while Matt is a chef, stay-at-home-dad, and artist. The Laux household enjoyed sharing a meal with four delegates.
Sunday, September 27 kicked off with a visit to the Herbert Hoover Museum. The Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum is located in West Branch, Hoover’s birthplace, where the group enjoyed touring the museum and learning about Hoover’s roles in organizing food relief and humanitarian work. After the museum, the group had free time to explore Iowa City before the final Iowa Table Dinner with four delegates was hosted by Julie Bradley, an English Language teacher who leads the Center for the Common Good at Mt. Mercy University in Cedar Rapids.
International Programs and Research
On Monday, September 28, the delegation was accompanied by volunteers Lynn Ouedraogo and Mary Gregg to their meeting with Russell Ganim, Associate Provost and Dean of University of Iowa International Programs, and Dimy Doresca, International Recruitment Advisor. During the meeting, the delegations learned from International Programs how the University of Iowa advances internationalization through global partnerships, academic exchange, faculty collaboration, and student engagement initiatives. As Dean Ganim has expanded Iowa’s international partnerships, encouraged the development of both virtual and traditional study abroad programs, and renewed efforts to recruit international students, his expertise in this meeting was invaluable.
Following this meeting, Mary then led the group to the University of Iowa Office of Undergraduate Research. In their meeting with Tawny Tibbits, Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research, Liz Ruhin, Associate Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research, and three student ambassadors, the delegation discussed how the University of Iowa advances student research, supports undergraduate engagement in research and creative projects, and provides platforms for students to develop and communicate their research. The group's final meeting of the day was with Joe Demarest, Director of the Coe College Office of Community and Civic Engagement. With faculty and staff, the delegation learned more about Coe College's NASA grant and how Coe integrates applied STEM learning and industry partnerships into the student experience.
Afterwards, the group headed back to their hotel to pack and prepare for their early departure the following morning to continue on their program in Milwaukee.
Thank You
Throughout the program, the delegation engaged with local leaders and organizations such as Marty Lenss, the Eastern Iowa Airport, Pizza on the Farm, the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, Russell Ganim, Dimy Doresca, University of Iowa International Programs, Tawny Tibbits, Liz Ruhin, University of Iowa Office of Undergraduate Research, Joe Demarest, and Coe College Office of Community and Civic Engagement (C3). Additionally, thank you to volunteers and Iowa Table Dinner hosts Lynn Ouedraogo, Mary Gregg, Rinsola Olubayo, Ashley and Matt Laux, and Julie Bradley. Your commitment to citizen diplomacy helps us continue connecting the world and the heartland.
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